Classwork Wednesday June 1

1. Read Source 32. What reasons did the Soviet Union give for cutting off West Berlin?

Technical difficulties and shortage of coal.

2. Why do you think the USA did not believe these were genuine reasons?

The US knew that the intentions of the Germans were worse than just an "accidental situation" and that they were trying to block Berlin from something.

3. How do Sources 33-35 differ in their interpretation of the blockade?

Sources 33 and 34 say that Germany and the Soviets had the upper hand in the situation and that the US would never be able to get through them but Source 35 states that the US was willing to work and push through the situation and that they would succeed in the end.

4. Which do you think is the most useful source for a historian studying the Berlin Blockade?

Source 32 would be the most reliable because of the facts that are listed in the source and the fact that the source is a government report.

5. Which source do you think give the most liable view of the blockade?

Source 35 would be the source that gives the most liable view of the blockade because Truman's statement is the only reliable source out of all of them.